• The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.

    If you are having struggles, need support in a particular area that you aren't finding a specific recovery area forum, you may find the General Struggles forum a great place to post. Any any that is related to emotions, self-esteem, insomnia, anger, relationship dynamics due to mental health and recovery and other issues that don't fit better in another forum would be examples of topics that might go there.

    If you have spiritual issues related to a mental health and recovery issue, please use the Recovery Related Spiritual Advice forum. This forum is designed to be like Christian Advice, only for recovery type of issues. Recovery being like a family in many ways, allows us to support one another together. May you be blessed today and each day.

    Kristen.NewCreation and FreeinChrist

  • Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
  • We hope the site problems here are now solved, however, if you still have any issues, please start a ticket in Contact Us

It's Time

Status
Not open for further replies.

vibrant

now more than ever, i cherish the cross
Feb 6, 2003
1,998
106
✟26,189.00
Faith
Christian
um, thanks for your concern. being healthy is a good thing, but clamouring for a miracle to get there, and being disappointed when you don't get it immediately, isn't always the best route. maybe we should stand through the trials and let it grow us.

for those who are suffering, take to heart the fact that this too will end. episodes of mania and depression are not lifelong.
 
Upvote 0

Deamiter

I just follow Christ.
Nov 10, 2003
5,226
347
Visit site
✟40,025.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Then of course God always reserves the right to allow your suffering as he allowed Paul's "thorn" to remain even after fervent prayer...

All of life is a blessing -- even the really crappy bits. It just takes INTENSE faith to even look for the blessing in tough struggling, much less find it.

I've always found much more blessing in my depression after the fact -- probably a combination of hindsight and hopelessness brought on by depression. But I HAVE always found blessing in my depression.
 
Upvote 0

GaelSong

gaelstrom
Sep 24, 2004
23,957
2,438
✟58,202.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
AU-Greens
I am offended by your presumption that people with bipolar NEED to be delivered of it. If God doesn't take away the burden then He gives us the strength to carry it. It isn't always as easy and 'deliverence' doesn't happen to everyone. Medication has been the only 'deliverance I've had and thank you and God, I am learning to live with this illness. Posts like yours could do more damage than good to some who post in this place.
 
Upvote 0
I

I'ddie4him

Guest
Deamiter said:
Then of course God always reserves the right to allow your suffering as he allowed Paul's "thorn" to remain even after fervent prayer...

All of life is a blessing -- even the really crappy bits. It just takes INTENSE faith to even look for the blessing in tough struggling, much less find it.

I've always found much more blessing in my depression after the fact -- probably a combination of hindsight and hopelessness brought on by depression. But I HAVE always found blessing in my depression.

I'll echo that sentiment.
Nice post Deamiter.:thumbsup:
 
Upvote 0

wonderwaleye

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2005
4,779
161
82
MISSISSIPPI
✟5,952.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
vibrant said:
um, thanks for your concern. being healthy is a good thing, but clamouring for a miracle to get there, and being disappointed when you don't get it immediately, isn't always the best route. maybe we should stand through the trials and let it grow us.

for those who are suffering, take to heart the fact that this too will end. episodes of mania and depression are not lifelong.
Dear Vibrant

For which one of us knows GODS WILL or HIS ACTIONS? It is not wrong to hope that GOD give us a cure.

But we must face that with: MAY THY WILL BE DONE.

You said:

" for those who are suffering, take to heart the fact that this too will end. episodes of mania and depression are not lifelong. "

That is not correct. Unless GOD give us healing we will be bipolar for the rest of our life. This is not something you grow out of. This is something you take meds for the rest of your life if you want the best out of life. Life with the right meds is good.

Advice posted here that is not true is very dangerous and could could result in severe carnage to folks that could otherwise live a quality life. Stopping meds is very common with new bi-polars because they start to feel good and think they are cured. Many look to the taking of meds as a sign of weakness. When it is really a sign of strength to overcome a handicap.

I put my meds right by my coffee pot so I'll make sure and not miss taking them. I personally like to feel and act normal. I could care less who knows.

If you ever suffered clinical depression and extreme mania you WILL find meds a wonderful GIFT OF GOD. Poor folks of the past weren't so blessed. Many where locked up for life.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )
 
Upvote 0

Alive again

A daughter of the King of Kings!
Feb 21, 2005
5,418
542
Pacific Northwest, USA
✟38,321.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Thank you for everyone here for standing strong against this kind of attack.

Can anyone really believe that someone who has an illness, from a cold to a chronic illness to a fatal illnes hasn't really asked for healing??? Unbelieveable what we say to others sometimes!

I so support you all in your stand to find blessing admist our illness, and taking meds while still maintaining our faith in God!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: GaelSong
Upvote 0

vibrant

now more than ever, i cherish the cross
Feb 6, 2003
1,998
106
✟26,189.00
Faith
Christian
wonderwaleye said:
Dear Vibrant

For which one of us knows GODS WILL or HIS ACTIONS? It is not wrong to hope that GOD give us a cure.

But we must face that with: MAY THY WILL BE DONE.

You said:

" for those who are suffering, take to heart the fact that this too will end. episodes of mania and depression are not lifelong. "

That is not correct. Unless GOD give us healing we will be bipolar for the rest of our life. This is not something you grow out of. This is something you take meds for the rest of your life if you want the best out of life. Life with the right meds is good.

Advice posted here that is not true is very dangerous and could could result in severe carnage to folks that could otherwise live a quality life. Stopping meds is very common with new bi-polars because they start to feel good and think they are cured. Many look to the taking of meds as a sign of weakness. When it is really a sign of strength to overcome a handicap.

I put my meds right by my coffee pot so I'll make sure and not miss taking them. I personally like to feel and act normal. I could care less who knows.

If you ever suffered clinical depression and extreme mania you WILL find meds a wonderful GIFT OF GOD. Poor folks of the past weren't so blessed. Many where locked up for life.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

hm, i didn't promise a cure for bipolar. what i said was that episodes of mania and depression do not last a lifetime. like an episode of a tv show, it has a cycle where it starts, happens, and finishes. even without medication, episodes of mania and depression will end.

how long did episodes of mania or major depression last before effective treatments were available? in the 1942 study, the average duration was six and a half months. but we also know that depressions and manias were sometimes shorter and sometimes lasted much longer [... in extreme cases] "i have seen mania, which even after seven years, indeed after more than ten years, recovered, and a state of depression which after fourteen years recovered" [emil kraepelin, the preeminent psychiatrist when research started in earnest]

modern psychiatrists no longer see patients who are manic for years at a time. effective modern treatments abort these episodes, and the patient is usually better in a few days -- weeks at the most. [depression can probably take longer.] modern psychiatrists do, however, see patients who seem to become manic again and again, month after month, year after year -- often everytime they stop taking medication (bipolar disorder, 35)

so the episode may last between months and years, but it will come to an end. that's evidenced in quotations from psychiatrist francis mondimore when he says "how long did episodes last? what was the length of time between episodes" (bipolar disorder, 34).

that is not to say that the overall illness, bipolar, will end:

since most people are more familiar with diseases that end when their symptoms go away, it is often very difficult for patients and their families to understand that although the symptoms of bipolar can go into remission after treatment (or even spontaneously), they almost inevitably will come back if treatment to prevent their return is not in place. [...] symptoms can come back at anytime. (bipolar disorder, 34)

basically, you cannot spend your entire life manic and you cannot spend your entire life depressed. you may spend weeks, or months, or even years, but it is impossible for your entire life to be this way, especially if you're getting treated. you will have the illness of bipolar your whole life, but you go through many manias and depressions -- but a single episode cannot last a lifetime.

so truly, hang on when you're going through an episode because it will past. it doesn't mean you'll recover from bipolar as a whole, but that single episode will past.

reference: mondimore, francis (md). bipolar disorder: a guide for patients and familiies. john hopskins university press. baltimore, 1999.
 
Upvote 0

wonderwaleye

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2005
4,779
161
82
MISSISSIPPI
✟5,952.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
vibrant said:
hm, i didn't promise a cure for bipolar. what i said was that episodes of mania and depression do not last a lifetime. like an episode of a tv show, it has a cycle where it starts, happens, and finishes. even without medication, episodes of mania and depression will end.

how long did episodes of mania or major depression last before effective treatments were available? in the 1942 study, the average duration was six and a half months. but we also know that depressions and manias were sometimes shorter and sometimes lasted much longer [... in extreme cases] "i have seen mania, which even after seven years, indeed after more than ten years, recovered, and a state of depression which after fourteen years recovered" [emil kraepelin, the preeminent psychiatrist when research started in earnest]

modern psychiatrists no longer see patients who are manic for years at a time. effective modern treatments abort these episodes, and the patient is usually better in a few days -- weeks at the most. [depression can probably take longer.] modern psychiatrists do, however, see patients who seem to become manic again and again, month after month, year after year -- often everytime they stop taking medication (bipolar disorder, 35)

so the episode may last between months and years, but it will come to an end. that's evidenced in quotations from psychiatrist francis mondimore when he says "how long did episodes last? what was the length of time between episodes" (bipolar disorder, 34).

that is not to say that the overall illness, bipolar, will end:

since most people are more familiar with diseases that end when their symptoms go away, it is often very difficult for patients and their families to understand that although the symptoms of bipolar can go into remission after treatment (or even spontaneously), they almost inevitably will come back if treatment to prevent their return is not in place. [...] symptoms can come back at anytime. (bipolar disorder, 34)

basically, you cannot spend your entire life manic and you cannot spend your entire life depressed. you may spend weeks, or months, or even years, but it is impossible for your entire life to be this way, especially if you're getting treated. you will have the illness of bipolar your whole life, but you go through many manias and depressions -- but a single episode cannot last a lifetime.

so truly, hang on when you're going through an episode because it will past. it doesn't mean you'll recover from bipolar as a whole, but that single episode will past.

reference: mondimore, francis (md). bipolar disorder: a guide for patients and familiies. john hopskins university press. baltimore, 1999.
Dear Vibrant

Thank you for clarifying that very well. There are folks out there that need this information.

I'm just very concerned about the thought that treatment can be stopped. Not to long ago we had a man make an armed attack against police officers with an automatic weapon and the go to the woods with his wife and killed her and himself. I just happened to be in town that day.

He just went off his meds and went manic. No good reason and was fine before.

What and why he had these delusions no one will ever know. Such a shame.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:


XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )
 
Upvote 0

Alive again

A daughter of the King of Kings!
Feb 21, 2005
5,418
542
Pacific Northwest, USA
✟38,321.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
We must be clear also that this type of acting out is extreme and not the norm for most of us with a mental illness. Although I must in all truth and humility admit to the damage my anger and tongue and moods have created in those around me. I 100% support staying onyour meds and in active treatment.:thumbsup:
 
Upvote 0

wonderwaleye

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2005
4,779
161
82
MISSISSIPPI
✟5,952.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Dear Alive again

Bipolar is a very misunderstood disease. You said:

" We must be clear also that this type of acting out is extreme and not the norm for most of us with a mental illness. "

With mental illness there is no norm. We must be clear also that this type of acting out is not extreme. Look at the suicide rate in this country. Are you
aware just how many folks are in prison or the mental hospitals. Prison is the way this county deals with a mentally ill person that has done wrong. It doesn't make the paper headlines and many times when it does there is no mention of the illness.


You also said:

" so truly, hang on when you're going through an episode because it will past. it doesn't mean you'll recover from bipolar as a whole, but that single episode will past. "


Yes it will pass if your still alive.


This kind of advice can lead a person to wait till their to weak to seek help and supports the idea of strength, and durability to overcome. Dangerous words for the bipolar.




We must be very careful if we are going to advise another. It is one thing to tell others of your situation and quite another to give advice to those dealing with the disease.




The way mental illness needs to be understood by folks is to understand that there is no understanding. Mental illness must be the doctors domain.


SO ALWAYS REMEMBER:


XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )
 
Upvote 0

Alive again

A daughter of the King of Kings!
Feb 21, 2005
5,418
542
Pacific Northwest, USA
✟38,321.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Alive again said:
I 100% support staying on your meds and in active treatment.:thumbsup:

I am posting my own quote for clarification wonderwaleye as I do not nor ever will I encourage someone not to take their meds.

I do however, as a person who does actively seek to treat and speak out about her own issues with bipolar like to stand up against the image that everyone who has a mental illness is more likely to be a murderer than anyone else. Perhaps, I was unclear about that in my short post. I am Mom, a wife, a Christian, a volunteer, a human being, beloved of God who has an illness called bipolar.

I choose to try to understand what is understandable about my illness, while knowing that it is unpredictable in it's very nature. I work hard to keep up on the lastest treatments and research and their are many exciting, encouraging things happening. For me to say their is no norm and I cannot understand any part of my illness is an overwhelming and hopeless position and I would rather give up if that is the truth. I choose to understand what I can and work with that and accfept that which I can't understand and work with that.

Please respect that we all have our own ways of coping.
 
Upvote 0

Zita123

Well-Known Member
Apr 18, 2005
691
32
63
CT.
✟997.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Alive again said:
Thank you for everyone here for standing strong against this kind of attack.

Can anyone really believe that someone who has an illness, from a cold to a chronic illness to a fatal illnes hasn't really asked for healing??? Unbelieveable what we say to others sometimes!

I so support you all in your stand to find blessing admist our illness, and taking meds while still maintaining our faith in God!!!
I do agree that we should take our meds as well as pray at all times and ask GOD to help us. HE will!!!
GOD BLESS US ALL!!
Zita
 
Upvote 0

wonderwaleye

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2005
4,779
161
82
MISSISSIPPI
✟5,952.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Alive again said:
I am posting my own quote for clarification wonderwaleye as I do not nor ever will I encourage someone not to take their meds.

I do however, as a person who does actively seek to treat and speak out about her own issues with bipolar like to stand up against the image that everyone who has a mental illness is more likely to be a murderer than anyone else. Perhaps, I was unclear about that in my short post. I am Mom, a wife, a Christian, a volunteer, a human being, beloved of God who has an illness called bipolar.

I choose to try to understand what is understandable about my illness, while knowing that it is unpredictable in it's very nature. I work hard to keep up on the lastest treatments and research and their are many exciting, encouraging things happening. For me to say their is no norm and I cannot understand any part of my illness is an overwhelming and hopeless position and I would rather give up if that is the truth. I choose to understand what I can and work with that and accfept that which I can't understand and work with that.

Please respect that we all have our own ways of coping.
Dear Alive Again


I am sorry if you think I stepped on your toe's. That was not my intention.



PLEASE PLEASE NEVER GIVE UP!!



I just feel you are DANGEROUS GROUND in your post for both you and others that read it. I am sorry but I feel it would be wrong to change my post.




GOD said you must accept HIM by FAITH. Well the same applies to the doctors advice. You don't understand much of GODS DOMAIN yet you accept it. It must be the same with bipolar. Even the doctors have a limited understanding of the disease but they have made great strides from my early years when they pushed all the tranquilizers.



Dear we are all trying to cope and we should never be afraid to say what is on our mind even if it is correct or not. The only way folks have to understand what you believe is to speak your piece. Then if anyone sees that a person needs help they can respond. No need to become defensive. It is then up to all to choose what it is they think to be right.



Please pass your thoughts on this subject to your doctor and see if he thinks you should bear the pain or take steps to keep the pain away.



WITH LOVE ALWAYS REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.